Отруєний пояс
Chapter III. Submerged
AsinadreamIsawChallenger,likeamonstrousbeetle,crawlingslowlyacrossthefloor,andamomentlaterIheardthegentlehissingoftheescapingoxygen.Challengerbreathedtwoorthreetimeswithenormousgulps,hislungsroaringashedrewinthevitalgas.
"Itworks!"hecriedexultantly."Myreasoninghasbeenjustified!"Hewasuponhisfeetagain,alertandstrong.Withatubeinhishandherushedovertohiswifeandheldittoherface.Inafewsecondsshemoaned,stirred,andsatup.Heturnedtome,andIfeltthetideoflifestealingwarmlythroughmyarteries.Myreasontoldmethatitwasbutalittlerespite,andyet,carelesslyaswetalkofitsvalue,everyhourofexistencenowseemedaninestimablething.NeverhaveIknownsuchathrillofsensuousjoyascamewiththatfreshetoflife.Theweightfellawayfrommylungs,thebandloosenedfrommybrow,asweetfeelingofpeaceandgentle,languidcomfortstoleoverme.IlaywatchingSummerleereviveunderthesameremedy,andfinallyLordJohntookhisturn.Hesprangtohisfeetandgavemeahandtorise,whileChallengerpickeduphiswifeandlaidheronthesettee.
"Oh,George,Iamsosorryyoubroughtmeback,"shesaid,holdinghimbythehand."Thedoorofdeathisindeed,asyousaid,hungwithbeautiful,shimmeringcurtains;for,oncethechokingfeelinghadpassed,itwasallunspeakablysoothingandbeautiful.Whyhaveyoudraggedmeback?"
"BecauseIwishthatwemakethepassagetogether.Wehavebeentogethersomanyyears.Itwouldbesadtofallapartatthesuprememoment.
